Charles Piutau

Salesi Tu'ipulotu "Charles" Piutau (born 31 October 1991) is a rugby union player. He plays as a fullback and sometimes wing for English club Bristol Bears in the Premiership.

Charles Piutau
Piutau before a match against Harlequins, February 2019
Full nameSalesi Tu'ipulotu Piutau
Date of birth (1991-10-31) 31 October 1991
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb)
SchoolWesley College
Notable relative(s)Siale Piutau (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing, Centre
Current team Bristol
All Black No. 1122
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2015 Auckland 34 (45)
2012–2015 Blues 41 (40)
2015–2016 Wasps 25 (50)
2016–2018 Ulster 45 (60)
2018– Bristol 75 (100)
2010–present Total 220 (295)
Correct as of 13 March 2023
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010 Tonga U20 5 (5)
2011 New Zealand U20 4 (30)
2013–2015 New Zealand 17 (25)
2022- Tonga 1 (0)
Correct as of 23 September 2021
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2011–2012 New Zealand 9
Correct as of 3 May 2020

Born in New Zealand to Tongan parents, he represented Tonga and New Zealand at Under-20 level. He won 17 senior caps for New Zealand between 2013 and 2015. In 2022, following a change in eligibility rules, he made his debut for Tonga.

Early life

Piutau was born in New Zealand to Tongan parents. He grew up on the Auckland suburb of Mangere and attended Wesley College.[1] He is the youngest of 10 children.[2]

Career

Junior level

In 2010, Piutau represented Tonga at the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina. Piutau was the top try scorer for the New Zealand Under-20s in their 2011 World Championship-winning campaign.

Charles played club rugby for Pakuranga United Rugby Club. He is the younger brother of Bristol Bears centre Siale Piutau.

Club career

Piutau made his debut for Auckland in 2010.[3] He was brought into the Blues squad in 2012 and confirmed as fullback in 2014.[4]

On 1 April 2015, it was announced Piutau would join Irish club Ulster from the start of the 2016–17 season.[5]

Piutau signed for English club Wasps in the Aviva Premiership during the 2015–16 season.[6] During his season at Wasps, Piutau had a strong impact. He scored a try in the 80th minute against Exeter Chiefs in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final to help Wasps reach the semi-final. Piutau was nominated for the Aviva Premiership Player of the Season and was named in the Team of the Season.

In August 2017, Ulster confirmed that Piutau would be leaving the province at the end of the 2017–18 Pro14 season to join Bristol Bears.[7]

International career

Piutau joined the All Blacks training squad during the 2013 Super Rugby season. On 22 June, he made his test debut against France in New Plymouth. He was not selected for the 2015 World Cup, a factor in his decision to move to play club rugby in Europe.[8]

Test Match Record
Against Pld W D L T Con Pen DG Pts %Won
 France220010005100
 Australia330000000100
 Argentina330010005100
 South Africa330000000100
 Japan1100200010100
 England110000000100
 United States110010005100
 Samoa110000000100
 Scotland110000000100
 Wales110000000100
Total17170050000100

Pld = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, T = Tries Scored, Con = Conversions, Pen = Penalties, DG = Drop Goals, Pts = Points Scored

Personal life

Piutau married in July 2018.[10]

Piutau has invested in multiple houses in Auckland New Zealand, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom.[11]

References
  1. Kitson, Robert (9 January 2021). "Bristol's Charles Piutau: 'I'd love to play in a Pacific Islanders team'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  2. "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
  3. "Piutau the new breed of fullback". Stuff. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  4. "Rugby: Piutau finds home at fullback for Blues". Otago Daily Times. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  5. "Ulster complete signing of All Black Charles Piutau". BBC Sport. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  6. "Wasps sign former All-Black versatile back Charles Piutau". BBC Sport. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  7. "Shock Bristol move for Piutau". Planet Rugby. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  8. "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
  9. "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Player analysis – Charles Piutau – Test matches".
  10. "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
  11. "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
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